Footwear piece

ABSTRACT

A footwear piece comprising an upper having a front portion configured to accommodate the toes of a human foot and a back portion configured to support the heel of a human foot a sole connected to the upper and an opening in at least one side of the upper in an area near the back portion and along a featherline.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present inventive concept generally relates to footwear. More specifically, the present inventive concept relates to footwear with improved fit, comfort, breathability and wearability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of footwear are used in everyday wear and work environments. Some types of traditional breathable footwear such as sandals and flip-flops may not be comfortable or suitable for long-term wear. Other types of comfort footwear such as sneakers do not provide the breathability available in open, breathable footwear such as sandals or flip flops. Additionally, footwear made with non-leather materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), rubber and thermoplastic rubber (TPR), which are not as flexible as leather, do not lend themselves to a comfortable fit or wearability. What is needed, therefore, is a type of footwear with improved fit, comfort, breathability and wearability which can be used in everyday wear and in various environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention includes a footwear piece comprising an upper having a front portion configured to accommodate the toes of a human foot and a back portion configured to support the heel of a human foot, and a sole connected to the upper, and an opening in at least one side of the upper in an area near the back portion and along a featherline.

In another embodiment, the opening is located in the back ⅓ of the footwear piece.

In another embodiment, the opening has a length of about 18 to 24% of the total horizontal distance of the footwear piece.

In another embodiment, the opening is located at a position that is a distance of about 8-10% the total horizontal distance of the footwear piece from the heel of the footwear piece.

In another embodiment, a first opening is located on an inside of the heel in-between the upper and the sole and a second opening is located on the outside of heel in-between the upper and the sole.

In another embodiment, the upper is made from a material having memory characteristics.

In another embodiment, the opening is comprised of a plurality of smaller horizontal openings.

In another embodiment, the footwear piece includes a band extending across a top portion of the upper.

In another embodiment, the footwear piece includes heel counter on the back portion of the footwear piece.

In another embodiment, the opening extends from the heel counter towards the front portion of the footwear piece.

Another embodiment includes a method of manufacturing a footwear piece including the steps of forming an upper portion, forming an opening in the upper portion, forming a sole, adhering the upper portion to the sole.

In another embodiment, the opening is located in the back ⅓ of the footwear piece.

In another embodiment, the opening has a length of about 18 to 24% of the total horizontal distance of the footwear piece.

In another embodiment, the opening is located at a position that is a distance of about 8-10% the total horizontal distance of the footwear piece from the heel of the footwear piece.

In another embodiment, the footwear prince includes a first opening is located on an inside of the heel in-between the upper portion and the sole and a second opening is located on the outside of heel in-between the upper and the sole.

In another embodiment, the upper is made from a material having memory characteristics.

In another embodiment, the opening is comprised of a plurality of smaller horizontal openings.

In another embodiment, the step of forming a band extending across a top portion of the upper.

In another embodiment, the step of forming a heel counter on the back portion of the footwear piece.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present inventions will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an outside view of a left footwear piece according to principles of the invention; the outside view of the right footwear piece is omitted because it is a mirror image of that of the left foot wear piece;

FIG. 2 is an inside view of the left footwear piece according to principles of the invention, the inside view of the right footwear piece is omitted because it is a mirror image of that of the left footwear piece;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the left footwear piece according to principles of the present invention, the top view of the right footwear piece is omitted because it is a mirror image of that of the left footwear piece;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the left footwear piece according to principles of the present invention, the front view of the right footwear piece is omitted because it is a mirror image of that of the left footwear piece; and,

FIG. 5 is a back view of the left footwear piece according to principles of the present invention, the back view of the right footwear piece is omitted because it is a mirror image of that of the left footwear piece.

FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of a footwear piece that is consistent with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently preferred embodiments according to principles of the present invention(s) will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the presently preferred embodiments will be described below with various technically preferred limitations, the scope(s) of the present invention(s) as set forth in the claims is/are not limited thereto unless otherwise described below.

FIG. 1 shows an inside view of a left footwear piece. This footwear piece (2) includes an upper (4) and an outsole (6), which can be formed in a one-piece mold design or formed as individual parts which are then adhered or attached to each other. The footwear piece can be made of any material having memory characteristics including, but not limited to, EVA, rubber, TPR and any other material which has memory characteristics. Additives known in the art such as pigments and elastomers can be added to the synthetic materials to further improve characteristics of the shoe, by decreasing the weight of the shoe, enhancing malleability or the like. The upper (4) also contains a band (8) which extends across the top portion of the upper and helps keep a foot positioned within the footwear piece. The band (8) can be distinguished from the upper by a separate design feature, such as a raised ridge, or the band (8) can be a portion of the upper that extends across the top portion of the foot and down towards the ankle. When the footwear piece is worn, the band (8) can come into contact with the wearer's foot, but it is not essential that the band (8) is constantly in contact with the wearer's foot in order to keep the footwear piece positioned on the wearer's foot. The upper (4) contacts the outsole (6) of the shoe creating a separation between the upper and the outsole, herein referred to as a featherline.

The heel counter of the footwear piece (10) is a closed heel which extends from the base of the sole to just below the Achilles (9). The heel counter (10) provides additional support to the wearer and helps keep the foot positioned within the footwear piece. When the footwear piece is worn, the heel counter (10) of the footwear piece can come into contact with the heel of the wearer's foot, but it is not essential that the heel is constantly in contact with the wearer's foot in order to keep the footwear piece positioned on the wearer's foot.

An opening (11) in the upper of the footwear piece is of the appropriate size to allow a user to insert and remove a foot from the footwear piece with ease. The construction of the footwear piece is such that a user can easily slip the footwear piece on and off the foot. Additionally, the construction of the footwear piece is such that once the foot is inserted into the footwear piece, the footwear piece stays well positioned on the foot without the need for additional means to secure the footwear piece to the user's foot such as a strap, buckle, laces or the like. The perimeter (13) of the opening (11) can also come into contact with the ankle or side of the wearer's foot, to aid in the positioning of the footwear piece, but it is not essential for the perimeter to have constant contact with the ankle or side of the foot in order to maintain positioning.

Along either side or both sides of the footwear piece just above featherline is at least one opening or vent (12). The opening (12) is not limited in size or shape. In some embodiments, the footwear piece can include two openings (12), one opening can be located on the inside of the footwear piece and the other opening can be located on the outside of the footwear piece. Alternatively, one opening could be located on the outside of the footwear piece. In another embodiment, one opening could be located on the inside of the footwear piece. Each opening or openings is provided along the bottom of the upper heel area, and permits the heel area to have additional flexibility, mold to the wearer's heel shape and provide an opening through which air can travel to ventilate and cool the foot. Specifically, the opening (12) is configured such that the portions of the upper above the opening extend out from the featherline of the footwear piece allowing the footwear piece to bend while continuing to make contact with the wearer's foot. More preferably, the opening (12) can be located at the outside of the heel counter (3) along the featherline (7) of the footwear piece.

The opening (12) can be formed in the upper (4) when the footwear piece is molded. Alternatively, the opening (12) can be formed after the formation of the upper (4) or during the assembly of the upper (4) and the outsole (6), if the upper (4) and the outsole (6) are formed in separate steps.

The location of the opening (12) is not limited. However, it can be located in the rear ⅓ of the footwear piece. For example, the opening (12) could be located on the inside of the footwear piece in the rear ⅓ of the footwear piece. The opening (12) could also be located on the outside of the footwear piece in the rear ⅓ of the footwear piece. It is also possible that an opening (12) is located in the rear ⅓ of the footwear piece on both the outside and inside of the footwear piece. This ratio can be applied to any size footwear piece. For example, the opening (12) could be located in the rear ⅓ of the footwear piece for a women's US size 9 and a men's US size 12. Even more preferably, the inventor found that the beginning of the opening (12) is located a distance of about 8 to 10% of the total length of the footwear piece from the back of the footwear piece, i.e., the length of the footwear piece measured in the horizontal direction. This location allows for maximum upper support. For example, if the footwear piece is a total of 1000 mm from the toe to the heel, the opening would start at a location that is 80 to 100 mm from the back of the footwear piece. In another embodiment, the opening (12) is composed of a plurality of smaller openings arranged such that the total opening area meets the criteria disclosed previously for the opening (12).

Additionally, the opening (12) can vary in length according to the size of the footwear piece. For example the length of the opening (12) for a women's US size 9 would be shorter than the opening (12) for a men's US size 12. The inventor determined that the optimum size of the length of the opening (12) is about 18%-24% of the total length of the footwear piece, when measured in a horizontal direction. For example, if the footwear piece is a total of 1000 mm when measured from heel to toe in the horizontal direction, the length of the opening could be 180 mm to 240 mm. This ratio, like the ratio for where the opening is placed on the footwear piece is a general ratio that can be applied to any footwear piece size or length.

The vertical dimensions of the opening (12) can vary depending on technical requirements of the footwear piece, which are often based on shoe size. The inventor found that the vertical dimension is typically about 4-6 mm. However, the vertical dimension could be greater than 6 mm if the footwear piece is larger or less than 4 mm for a smaller footwear piece.

The features of the heel and the band described above afford comfort and fit to the wearer of the footwear piece. The toe box (5) of the footwear piece can be any conventionally-known toe box (5) shape and size which can accommodate a human foot.

FIG. 2 is an inside view of the left footwear piece. This view of the footwear piece shows the outsole (6), the toe box (5), the heel counter (10) and the opening (12). The band (8), which extends down from the center of the upper towards the ankle is also shown.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the left footwear piece. In this figure, the entire perimeter (13) of the opening (11) which permits a wearer to easily insert and remove their foot within the footwear piece is shown. The perimeter (13) can be substantially even in height or slope downwards from the center of the upper towards the ankle and then slope upwards as the perimeter (13) reaches the heel counter (10). In this particular embodiment, the heel and upper portion of the perimeter are positioned at a higher level than the perimeter located near the ankle. The interior of the footwear piece can also include a grip design (14), of which various designs are known and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, to further assist in positioning the footwear piece on the wearer's foot. The grip can limit excessive movement of the foot within the footwear piece, prevent the foot from slipping, promote ventilation/and or prevent the foot from sticking to the sole of the footwear piece.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the left footwear piece showing the toe box (5), the upper (4) and the band (8). In this figure, the front portion of the band (8) extends from the sole (16) of the shoe, across the upper (4) to the outside of the shoe (18). FIG. 4 shows the band (8) having a substantially even height from the inside of the shoe (16) to the outside of the shoe (18).

FIG. 5 is a back view of the left footwear piece showing the closed heel counter (10). A portion of the opening (12) can also be seen in this view.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a bottom sole of the footwear piece. In one embodiment, the bottom sole plate is adhered to the sole (6) of the footwear piece using any known adhering method including, but not limited to, sewing, gluing, riveting or any other method which would adhere the bottom sole to the sole (6). In another embodiment, the bottom sole is formed in unison with the sole (6). In one embodiment, the bottom sole includes a marking or tread design. The tread design can be any known tread design and the tread design is selected based on the environment in which the footwear piece will be used. For example, the tread design in FIG. 6 depicts a design which is used in wet environments, such as a restaurant, to prevent slipping. In another embodiment, bottom sole is made of a non-marking material. For example, the bottom sole can be a sole as the sole in U.S. Pat. No. D512,821S.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. 

1. A footwear piece comprising: an upper having a front portion configured to accommodate the toes of a human foot and a back portion configured to support the heel of a human foot; and a sole connected to the upper; and an opening in at least one side of the upper in an area near the back portion and along a featherline.
 2. The footwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the opening is located in the back ⅓ of the footwear piece.
 3. The footwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the opening has a length of about 18 to 24% of the total horizontal distance of the footwear piece.
 4. The footwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the opening is located at a position that is a distance of about 8-10% the total horizontal distance of the footwear piece from the heel of the footwear piece.
 5. The footwear piece according to claim 1, including a first opening located on an inside of the heel in-between the upper and the sole and a second opening is located on the outside of heel in-between the upper and the sole.
 6. The footwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the upper is made from a material having memory characteristics.
 7. The footwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the opening is comprised of a plurality of smaller horizontal openings.
 8. The footwear piece according to claim 1, including a band extending across a top portion of the upper.
 9. The footwear piece according to claim 1, including a heel counter on the back portion of the footwear piece.
 10. The footwear piece according to claim 9, wherein the opening extends from the heel counter towards the front portion of the footwear piece.
 11. A method of manufacturing a footwear piece including the steps of: forming an upper portion; forming an opening in the upper portion; forming a sole; adhering the upper portion to the sole.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the opening is located in the back ⅓ of the footwear piece.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the opening has a length of about 18 to 24% of the total horizontal distance of the footwear piece.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the opening is located at a position that is a distance of about 8-10% the total horizontal distance of the footwear piece from the heel of the footwear piece.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein a first opening is located on an inside of the heel in-between the upper portion and the sole and a second opening is located on the outside of heel in-between the upper and the sole.
 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the upper is made from a material having memory characteristics.
 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the opening is comprised of a plurality of smaller horizontal openings.
 18. The footwear piece according to claim 11, including the step of forming a band extending across a top portion of the upper.
 19. The footwear piece according to claim 11, including the step of forming a heel counter on the back portion of the footwear piece. 